Salty Dog Gem Mine

Specialties

PET Friendly & free picnic areas. No Admission Fee. Gold Panning with gold ore from an active gold mine! Learn how to pan for gold at no extra charge. Gem Mining for every age. We custom design different gem bags for children and adults — rock hounds and novices. We offer precious and semi precious rough stones or tumbled and rough gems from around the world from 1 gallon to 4 gallon family packages starting @ $ 11. We specialize in having a great variety of different bags including boy and girl Treasure bags and Fossil bags mixed with colorful gemstones. It’s the real gem mining experience with guaranteed treasures to take home. We also have to-​go bags, sifters, and gold pans to take back to those who couldn’t join you on vacation. Located at WagonMaster Adventure Ranch with tent Camping, Cabins, and RV sites plus other amenities like mini golf, wagon rides, and paintball target arcades, skeet shooting, and pistol range.

History

Established in 2010.

We opened for the 1^st full season March 2010 and have had excellent reviews on trip advisor, googlemaps, and yahoo. Salty Dog Gem Mine is located on site at WagonMaster Adventure Ranch, a family– oriented old fashioned fun park with a western theme for adults and kids alike to enjoy. We also have «just kids» activities like the mini car track and the bounce castle. We wanted to have outdoor activities for families to share rather than be focused on the next text. The whole family can do gem mining or gold panning or mini golf or paintball arcades shooting at targets (not each other). And those who gem mine will leave with a treasure trove of beautiful stones from around the world. We built the park using our own trees and natural resources for a rustic getaway where you can bring the family pet and a picnic lunch and enjoy the Smoky Mountain ambiance. Most popular word heard at the ranch: «Awesome». Most popular product produced: smiles and memories.

Meet the Business Owner

Debbie R.

Business Owner

My husband Jim and I retired and moved to the Smoky Mountains to build an affordable, family fun park that all ages could enjoy. Affordable was an important goal since we had struggled to take our 6 grandchildren to fun places that wouldn’t totally blow our budget. We built the park over several years as a labor of love for the land and the joy we wanted to share with others. Although Jim passed away in 2012, his love for the project is evident throughout the park, and his legacy for bringing joy to others lives on. Our guests can enjoy the park whether they bring $ 3 or $ 30. We’re pet friendly and have a free playground and picnic area along with a welcoming attitude to have fun with whatever your budget allows or just come have a picnic lunch and bring your pet for a romp through the woods. With no admission fee, you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a great day. The memories that have been made and will be made continues to be a wonderful tribute to WagonMaster Jim.